UniSC welcomes the release today of the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report and congratulates the Expert Panel’s efforts to date.
Through its extensive consultation so far, the Panel has clearly heard and acknowledged the opportunities and challenges faced by regional communities and those in the broader community who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
Professor Helen Bartlett, UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President said many of the findings reflect the feedback that UniSC and other regional stakeholders have provided so far through written submissions and discussions with the Panel and government stakeholders.
“I am heartened by the Interim Report’s clear focus on increasing equity of access to higher education and as part of this the Government’s immediate commitment to ensuring all First Nations students are eligible for a funded place at university,” Professor Bartlett said.
"Related to this, we welcome the decision to improve higher education accessibility by expanding the number of regional university centres, now called study hubs, in underserved regional areas and establishing them in outer metropolitan and peri-urban locations. We look forward to collaborating with the Government to establish more of these study hubs in regional South-East Queensland.
“We applaud the removal of the ‘50 percent pass rule’ introduced as part the Job Ready Graduates Package. UniSC called for this change given its proven adverse impact on students who can experience the greatest barriers to study and those who need greater assistance, not more hurdles, to succeed at university.
“UniSC is also pleased to see the Government agree to extend the Higher Education Continuity Guarantee over the next two years which will provide funding certainty and allow us to plan for the short term while the Accord process plays out over the coming months and years.
“We are encouraged by many of the reform ideas flagged for further discussion, including new targets to drive greater participation and attainment rates, financial support for students undertaking mandatory professional placements, addressing financial barriers to study and of course a more sustainable funding model that recognises the true cost of regional education delivery.
"We look forward to further discussions with the Panel, the Australian and state governments, our students and regional stakeholders over the coming months as we consider and respond to the Interim report findings and recommendations in more detail."
UniSC’s full submission to the Australian Universities Accord Panel can be read here.
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